Wapda will defend their title in the event where nine other teams will be taking part.

According to Pakistan team manager Khwaja Junaid, all national team players, including Abbas, will be taking part in the event. The penalty-corner specialist suffered a jaw injury during the Champions Trophy in Auckland where he missed several matches besides being ruled out for the series against China last month.

However, Junaid confirmed that Abbas has recovered and resumed training. “Abbas has started preparing for the tournament,” Junaid told Our Sources. “We`re hoping that he’ll play all the matches in the championship after being cleared by doctors.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Hockey Federation`s (PHF) Associate Secretary Rana Mujahid said that the age-rule allowing only players under 30 years to participate was in force but 32-year old Rehan Butt has been allowed to take part in the event as an exception. “Butt has been permitted to play after the national team’s management requested that he be allowed to participate,” Mujahid told reporters.”